The fact that the King’s Queen was taken from him undermines his dignity and power – to regain his glory his Queen must be returned

Frank’s word choice here is no coincidence: “Cleopatra” comes from the Greek name “Κλεοπατρα”, meaning “glory of the father”.

General Song Overview:

“Pyramids” contains two distinct stories told from different perspectives, which take place in two different time periods (namely ancient Egypt and modern day America). The stories are connected by similar story elements, themes, and the Cleopatra motif.

The first part of the story is told by an Egyptian Pharaoh, whose Queen – the historically famous Egyptian ruler Cleopatra – has been reportedly kidnapped. As a response sends out all his powerful forces to get her back.

The first verse likely sees this ruler envisioning a great and powerful future with his strong black Queen – this thought may have occurred before or after Cleopatra went missing.

In the next verse the King has discovered that Cleopatra wasn’t taken against her will – she betrayed their kingdom and ran off with another man. This betrayal marks then end of Cleopatra’s life and of their once-powerful kingdom.

The present-day story then begins (along with a change in the beat), with a man awaking (this may imply that the first part of the song was a dream or at least that we are now in a new day).

He describes waking up to your girl, which connects him with the Cleopatra-stealing man of the first story. The way he describes the girl suggests that the Pyramid she’s working at tonight is a strip club or some kind of prostitution den.

He then describes his life, which shows him as a moderately successful pimp; Cleopatra is presumably one of his “workers”.

The present-day storyline then continues – but is told from the perspective of a pitiful man who has hired a prostitute. She makes him feel wanted, though he’s an unemployed loser that has to pay for her services. The final line of his story implies that they had a relationship previously, where she actually loved him and he didn’t have to pay for it – connecting him with the cuckolded man of the Ancient Egypt story.

The entire song as a whole spins a rich and complex web of imagery and motif that touches on many topics and themes. Among the most prevalent are betrayal, infidelity, exploitation, and loss of dignity.

It is likely that Frank is exploring the fall of African-American people – from powerful black Kings and Queens to lowly pimps and hookers – through exploitation (by society, the “white man”, etc.), and their own doing.

This is the first suggestion that the song’s subject isn’t quite oblivious to the world outside of their sweet life.

They are trying to stay single and have fun, but constantly receive signals from others wanting a serious relationship with them, that they can’t fully ignore.

They also may be aware of the ills of the larger world and can’t quite keep them out of their thoughts.

Satellites transmit waves, beaches have waves, human signals are often called thought waves. Frank could be referring to any or all of the three here

Frank compares a girl/guy to the best song on an album. While the best songs on any given album usually aren’t the ones heard on the radio (the single is the song used to promote the album), this person isn’t single as in they have a significant other.

The line may also imply:

• the girl/guy wasn’t promising but turned out to be the “best song” or an unexpected surprise
• the girl/guy wasn’t the best song or the single but was instead a disappointment

Cleopatra is a very well-known and important historical figure. She was a powerful Egyptian pharaoh (in fact the last Egyptian pharaoh – a fact that is important in the context of this song), and led a life that has fascinated people throughout the ages.

She is often used as a symbol of women’s (often sexual) power, having reportedly mated and formed alliances with some of the most powerful men of that time.

This could also be used in a metaphorical sense; Cleopatra being the woman in the relationship with Frank (his Queen) who has left or cheated on him with another person (the thief).

Diamonds are often called “rocks”, and are known as “precious stones”. This person is promising Cleopatra a future where they’ll be “diamonds in the rough”; shining figures in a dark and gloomy world

While this could be the Pharaoh talking about his future if he had Cleopatra back, it also sounds like the kind of promises a pimp might make to a girl he’s trying to turn out, or like anybody who tries to exploit another person (this will make sense later)

The song again changes perspective, and is now told by modern-day Cleopatra’s ex-lover, who shares a connection with Ancient Egyptian Cleopatra’s betrayed lover earlier in the song

He describes a sexual encounter between them, leaving us thinking that maybe he has won her back…

This could also be a frequent john of Cleopatra’s. He is under the delusion that she belongs to only him. Thus, he treats her as his lover although Cleo is a prostitute.

A final and brilliant twist. It is revealed that present day, prostitute Cleopatra’s client is one who didn’t always have to pay her for love. Our cuckolded man, represented in Ancient times by a Pharaoh whose queen betrayed him, and in this present-day scenario by a man whose girl was “turned out” by a pimp, has now sunk to the level of paying his former love for sex, a complete crushing of his dignity and pride

This completes the thematic circle of the story: once powerful leaders of a powerful and dignified race have been reduced through time, history, exploitation, self-hate, etc. to sad pimps, sullied prostitutes, and pathetic johns.

… or he could just be saying her ‘love ain’t free’ because he has to pay the price of giving her up to other men to earn money for the both of them.